Card table trump indicator



Sept. 24, 1940- c. A. WEINREJCH CARD TABLE TRUMP INDICATOR Filed April 18, 1940 :VIIIIIIIIIIII Patented Sept. 24, 1940 PATENT OFFICE a CARD TABLE TRUIVIP INDICATOR. f Charles A. Weinreich, Dundalk, Md. Application April 18,1340, Serial No. 330,433

2 Claims.

This invention relates to trump indicating means for card tables and it aims to provide a novel indicating means which is mounted substantially flush with the table top and electrically operable and illuminable to indicate trumps.

It is further aimed to provide in connection with the invention, a novel indicator means to indicate the turn or turns of the players.

In addition, an object is to provide a means whereby the indicator device may be of such a construction that it may be adjusted relative to table tops to be secured flush or relatively flush with the tops of tables of different thicknesses.

Still further, it is aimed to provide a novel switch mechanism on the table top and arranged substantially flush with the upper surface thereof.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawing illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the top of a table equipped with my invention;

Figure 2 is. an enlarged sectional View taken on the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the trump indicator box alone;

Figure 4 is a central vertical sectional view through said indicator box;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on the plane of line 59-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1, and

Figure '7 is an electrical diagram.

Referring specifically to the drawing, in designates the top of a card table or the like, supported in the usual way by legs, foldable or otherwise, and not shown.

The trump indicator as a whole is designated II and is located centrally of the table top, occupying an opening l2 in the latter. Such device ll consists of a relatively deep upper casing section l3, of rectangular form, intimatelyfitting the opening l2 removably and carrying a panel M at its top, flush with the top of the table I0.

Said casing section 13 has a central diamond shaped partition l5 and lateral partitions l6 extending therefrom, whereby compatments I! are provided about a central compartment l8.

Section I3 is open at the bottom and adapted for engagement by a closure member 19, having a continuous upstanding wall or flange 20 which removably fits over and embraces the exterior of the casing l3, being held in place in any suitable manner as by means of spring hooks or latches 2| of L-shape pivoted at 22 to opposite ends of the casing section [3.

Said closure section l9 carries a socket 23 in each of the compartments I1 and I8 and which sockets mount electric bulbs or lamps 24.

Reverting to the panel M, the same is preferably diaphanous inasmuch as it may be translucent or transparent. It may be of ground glass. The panel is preferablystriped or ornamented in any suitable color at 26 directly over the partitions l5 and I6, and directly over the compartments l1 and I8, it is delineated in any suitable colors or designs, with representations of hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades, and no trump. The hearts and diamonds are usually red and the spades and clubs are usually black.

The lamps 24 are adapted to be illuminated one at a time, in any suitable manner, in order to show the trump being played. To this end, the lamps may be connected with any suitable source of electric current, as diagrammatically suggested in Figure '7, the same utilizing switches 21 and 28, for instance of the toggle type, mounted by a plate or box 29 substantially flush with the top of the table. A switch 21 is provided for each lamp 24 in order to cut the same in and out of the electric circuit and the switch 28 is connected in the circuit in order to cut in or out the electric current, as a master switch.

I also provide an indicator 30 to be secured in a position pointing to the one whose turn it is to play. This indicator is loosely mounted on a central post 3| rising from a plate 32, fastened flush with the top of the table and having four studs at 33, two f which studs the indicator rests on in each position of adjustment for four players. A socket 34 is carried by the indicator so as to interfit with one of the studs 33 to hold the indicator against accidental displacement. and a coil contractile spring 35 surrounds the post 3| being fastened at one end to the indicator and at the other end to the plate 32 so as to urge the indicator toward the plate 32 and the socket 34 engaged with the adjacent stud 33.

The casing section 13 is removably fastened in place on the table top ID by means of two or more fastened by screws or the like 3'! to the undersurface of such table top, said screws passing through horizontal flanges 38 of the brackets. Vertical flanges 39 of such brackets have divergbrackets 36 usually of angle form, as shown, and

ing elongated slots 40 therethrough through which detachable bolts 4| pass and which also pass through slots 42 in angular crossing relation thereto as best shown in Figure 3. As a result, the bolts 4| are adjustable so that regardless of the thickness of the table top ID to which the device is secured, the device may be fastened with its panel I 4 flush with the upper surface of the table top.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall Within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the class described having means operable to indicate trumps, means to mount the device in an opening in a top member for adjustment relative to the upper surface of the top member, comprising parts attachable to depend from the top member having slots in diverging relation, fastenings passing through said slots, and said device having openings angularly arranged with respect to and crossing the first mentioned openings and through which the fastenings also extend.

2. A device of the class described having means operable to indicate trumps, means to mount the device in an opening in a top member for adjustment relative to the upper surface of the top member, comprising angle members attachable to depend from the top member having depending flanges, said flanges having diverging slots therethrough, bolts passing through the slots, and said device having slots at an angle to and crossing the first mentioned slots through which the bolts alsopass.

" CHARLES A. WEINREICH. 

